T-G Junior Open to start Thursday

Wednesday

Jul 26, 2017 at 5:00 AM

By Chris Snow T-G Sports Writer

The 39th annual Times-Gazette Junior Open is set to start Thursday at 8 a.m. at Brookside Golf Course. The second and final day, also at Brookside, will begin at 8 a.m. Play will finish around 1 p.m. each day.

The second day is normally at the Ashland Golf Club; however, it's hosting the Ohio Publinx State Amateur Championship the same day, making it unavailable to be used this year.

This year's tournament features six different age groups -- boys 17-18, boys 15-16, boys 13-14, boys 10-12, girls 15-18 and girls 14 and under. The three elder boys groups and the girls 15-18 division will all play 18 holes, while the two younger sections will play nine holes.

There are between 30 and 35 kids signed up to play in the tournament this year, according to Terry Valentine, who is the golf pro at Brookside.

Valentine believes there are several benefits for the older players in playing in a tournament-style atmosphere.

"Any competition is great," Valentine said. "You get to tee it up in a tournament round with serious players, and it gives them a couple rounds before they have to get into the high school qualifying or the high school season, so it can do nothing but just benefit the kids."

He also feels the tournament is special because of its exclusivity to the Ashland community.

"I give all the credit to the Times-Gazette 37 years ago when they thought this was a good idea," Valentine said. "You can imagine 37 years of juniors playing in this, and it's just kind of neat to have your own area tournament with your own area sponsor doing it."

Note: Players can call Brookside prior to Thursday to get their tee times.